Homemade Deodorant

 

Quick and Easy Homemade Deodorant That Really Works!

 

This is one recipe that I just had to share because it's simple, easy and very inexpensive to make.  Yes, my family and I have been testing this one to be absolutely sure that it worked.  I sent the husband out for his long day of work outside in the warm weather.  He was a bit concerned but willing to participate in product testing. He came home, I did the 'sniff' test.  (Yes, I did).  Based on this test alone, with no reapplication throughout the day, I can tell you.  IT WORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

I really encourage you to try this.  Either with the ingredients you have at home, or you can get them easily and inexpensively with us. 

 

If you have an extra 3-4 minutes in your day, that's all you need.  (if you were in a hurry, you could probably make it in less time than this, so no excuses!) 

 

 

 

So here is all you need:

 

1/4 cup Baking Soda 

1/4 cup Arrowroot Powder

2-3 Tbsp Coconut Oil

4-8 drops Essential Oil *optional (It depends on what you like. Our 5 mL sample sizes are more than enough.) My Essential Oil recommendations are: Lavender, or Lemongrass, or one of my favourite blends.. Grapefruit & Bergamot

 

Directions:

 

1. Mix Baking Soda and Arrowroot together.  Give the Coconut Oil a good stir to smooth it out.  Add your essential oil(s) to coconut oil and mix well.  Combine your dry ingredients into the Coconut Oil/Essential Oil blend.  Done.  Put in airtight container.  Use small amounts are needed.

 

NOTES:

 

~ If you want a thicker consistency (as you can see from the pic above, I like mine to be almost like a playdoh consistency) use the lesser amount of coconut oil.  I rolled it into a ball and put into container. You can use any resealable container that you have on hand. If you want it to have more of a creamy consistency, use a bit more coconut oil.

 

~ 1/4 cups is equal to approximately 35 g.  This means, you could get the 100 g each of the baking soda and arrowroot, and this would be more than enough.

 

~ *You don't have to add any scent if you don't want to.  If you do, there's lots of choices, but there are some I would stay away from.  Cinnamon Leaf EO, or Clove Bud EO for example, might be a bit too harsh.  If you like an earthy scent, Patchouli would be interesting too! These are by no means your only choices, but it's a start.  Not a bad idea to add your EO drop by drop, having a sniff after each to get it just right.

 

~ If you have more sensitive skin, you may need to play with the ratios a bit.  Perhaps try a bit less baking soda (which means less salt), and maybe up the arrowroot powder.  Keep in mind that it's the baking soda that's offering the 'deodorant' properties here, so while you could substitute the baking soda entirely for perhaps a kaolin clay, you might not get quite the same results. Also, you can eliminate any added scent too.  The great thing about making your own products, is that you can adjust it as you need to, making a very personalized product for everyone in your family!

 

~ Remember this is a deodorant product, not an anti-perspirant.  Anti-perspirant blocks your pores, while this allows your body to do as it needs to, but not in a shtinky way.  It's a much healthier way to be!

 

 

 

 



Make Apple Pie Soap Squares

Apple Pie Soap Squares

These apple pie soap squares are super easy and fun to make. Gather up the kids so they can help too!

This project makes 9 bars, 100 g (3.5 oz) each.

You need:
- 1 lb Crafter's Choice Basic White Soap Base
- 1 lb Crafter's Choice Basic Clear Soap Base
- 1 Cube of Brown Sparkle Mica Colour
- 30 mL Apple Pie Fragrance Oil
- 1 Milky Way Basic Square Tray Mold

Equipment
- Medium Sized Microwave Safe Glass Measure Cup
- Measuring Spoons
- Wooden Mixing Sticks (or you could just use a spoon)
- Soap Cutter or Knife (does not have to be sharp)
- Spray Bottle of Rubbing Alcohol (for spritzing to break surface bubbles.. you can usually find these at the dollar store.  Go for the highest percentage of alcohol available)
- Microwave

Let's get started!

1. Cut the 1 lb of White M&P soap base in half.  Set one half aside and cut the other half into small triangle bits (about 1/2 to 1" in size.. feel free to vary sizes but stay close to these approximates).  These will be your apple pieces.  Put aside for now.

2. Cut 1 lb of Clear M&P soap into chunks or cubes (chunks make for a quick, even melt), and heat in microwave until melted.  Start with 1 minute, check and stir, and heat and stir thereafter at 20 second intervals.  You want it completely melted but not too hot.  It takes about 2-2.5 minutes, depending on your microwave.

 

 

3. Add 15 mL (.5 oz) of Apple Pie Fragrance Oil to your melted clear base.  Stir.  Add a few shavings of the colour cube (shave off bits with knife or peeler). You don't need much but you can add as much as you like to achieve desired colour. Stir well. Pour this base into your soap mold now. Give the surface a spritz of alcohol.

4. Working quickly, spritz your apple pieces with the alcohol and begin arranging them into the melted soap base in the mold.  Arrange them as you like and add as many as you like (be creative!).  It's ok if some of the bits are sticking out of the base a bit as shown below.  We'll be adding a second layer and that will cover them up. If you have not used all of your triangles (and you probably didn't), that's ok.  You will add them to your white base when you're ready.  Once you're done adding triangles, give the surface a spritz to pop any bubbles that may have formed.

5. Set the soap in the mold to cool and harden a bit (about a half an hour)

6. When your clear base is set, cut the other half of the white soap base into chunks (about .5-1" square) and add any left over triangle bits.  Put in a medium sized microwave safe measuring cup and heat in microwave until melted.  Heat initially for 1 minute, check and stir, and heat at 20 second intervals, checking and stirring until completely melted. This may take 1.5-2 minutes in total.

7. Add remaining 15 mL (.5 oz)  Apple Pie Fragrance Oil. Stir. Add a few slivers of the colour cube until desired colour is achieved for the 'crust' portion of the pie. Stir. Add 3 Tbsp of Brown Sugar.  Stir well.  Pour over top of the hardened clear soap.  Set aside to cool for about an hour or so.  When the soap is cool and hard, unmold carefully.  If the soap will not release from the mold don't force it. Put it in the freezer for about an hour and it should pop out easily.  Cut into 9 bars.  Wrap each bar tightly in plastic (cling) wrap.

 

 

Variations to this recipe:
There are too many too list!!  But for now..

- If you prefer more of a matte look to the apple 'sauce' in the pie instead of sparkly mica, try some Brown Oxide mixed with a bit of Glycerin to produce a matte colour. 
- You can certainly use less Fragrance Oil in the recipe if you prefer a softer scent.
- Try different shapes in the pie.
- The Brown Sugar in this recipe gives the 'crust' side exfoliating qualities.  You could also try ground oatmeal, soy scrub, or salts.
- Use different colours that match a different scent that you may be interested in. 

Tip: If you have trouble cutting though the bars, heat your soap cutter under hot water.  Dry the cutter and cut with ease.